Holder for storing air guns and other hand tools

ABSTRACT

A portable holder for storing air guns and other hand tools is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the holder comprises: a generally-tubular body having two open ends, one of which is flared; a slit or gullet on one side of the body and extending longitudinally from the flared open end of the body partway down the body; and a plurality of magnetic discs or feet for removably, yet securely attaching the holder to a workstation having a ferrous surface. A related process for storing such tools comprises: orienting a generally tubular holder adjacent a workstation&#39;s metal side; removably affixing the holder to that metal surface by at least one magnet; slipping the particular tool into a flared end of the holder; and guiding a portion of the tool, such as an attached air hose or the tool handle, into a gullet of the holder to rest the tool and orient the hose or handle for easy retrieval of the tool from the holder.

This Utility patent application is based upon an earlier ProvisionalPatent Application, Ser. No. 60/558,664, filed Apr. 1, 2004. Applicantsclaim the benefit of priority from the Provisional Application.

FIELD

The present invention relates to devices and processes for holding orstoring hand tools.

BACKGROUND

In an industrial setting, the typical workstation (e.g., a workbench, ora large, fixed machine tool or other manufacturing/processing device)includes one or more portable or semi-portable hand tools. These mayrange from pneumatic devices such as air guns (for cleaning/clearing themachine tool), which are powered by pressurized air delivered throughair hoses, to hand tools (e.g., brushes, pliers, wrenches), toelectric-powered devices (e.g., sanders, hand drills).

Because such tools are only used from time to time, but need to becalled upon regularly and quickly, the tools are typically stored nearthe workstations where they are commonly used. Shelves or other storageunits may be used for such a purpose. However, if space is at a premium,or the tools are unwieldy, or they are attached to air hoses or electriccords, or need to be stored at the machine, shelves may not provide anoptimal solution.

For some hand tools, storage/holder devices are sometimes “home-built”(e.g., hooks/hangers are attached to the side of a workstation for toolstorage). However, this requires that such hooks/hangers be fabricated,and oftentimes requires a permanent modification of the workstation toaccommodate the hooks. Also, the hooks/hangers may not be adequatelysecured (or securable) for workplace safety. Their protrusions posehazards of entanglement or cutting. Moreover, such hooks/hangers areoften of limited versatility and are only useful for certain types oftools, namely, those incorporating hooks, eyelets or the like.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide aholder for storing air guns and other hand tools that is: portable;easily secured to a workstation or machine in different orientations;secure, sturdy, and safe; and that can be used for a wide variety ofdifferent types of hand tools.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a portable,magnetic holder for storing air guns.

It is another object to provide a related process for storing handtools, in a magnetic holder, for easy retrieval.

SUMMARY

A portable holder for storing air guns and other hand tools isdisclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the holder comprises: agenerally-tubular body having two open ends, one of which is flared; aslit or gullet on one side of the body and extending longitudinally fromthe flared open end of the body partway down the body; and a pluralityof magnetic discs or feet for removably, yet securely attaching theholder to a workstation having a ferrous surface.

In use, the user chooses how to orient the holder, and then places thediscs against the workstation's metal side. This holds the body inplace. A tool can subsequently be stored in the body by slipping thetool into the holder's flared end. The gullet provides a side clearancespace/opening through which certain portions of the tool, or otherattachments, e.g., an air hose, may be placed. The gullet also providesa way to orient the tool—the handle and/or trigger portion of the toolare naturally guided into the gullet when the tool is inserted. Thisconsistent orientation facilitates quick, easy tool retrieval.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a holder for storing air guns and certainother tools according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the holder attached to the side of amachine tool/workstation and in use holding a pneumatic tool; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional partial view of the holder assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3 show a preferred embodiment of a portable holder 10 forstoring air guns and other tools. In the preferred embodiment, theholder 10 comprises a generally-tubular body 12 having a first, flaredopen end 14, a second open end 16, and a hollow interior 18. A slit orgullet 20 is located on one “side” of the holder body 12, and extendsfrom the flared end 14 of the body 12 partway longitudinally down thebody. Magnetic connector means (e.g., discs 22 a, 22 b) for removablyattaching the holder 10 to a workstation 24 are attached to the body 12on the side opposite the gullet 20.

The portable holder is marketed under the trademark, GUNSLINGER™, by theGuardair Corporation of Chicopee, Mass.

The preferred body 12 includes stanchions 26 a, 26 b (see FIGS. 1-2) tofacilitate attachment of the connector means 22 a, 22 b to the body 12and to offset the holder 10 from the workstation 24. The stanchions 26a, 26 b, like body 12, are currently made of stainless steel. They areintegrally cast with the body 12. Alternatively, stanchions 26 a, 26 bcould be separate articles attached by standard fasteners (e.g., boltsor adhesive).

In the illustrated embodiment, stanchions 26 a, 26 b have central stemsand base housings or rims 28 a, 28 b. The rims resemble flat, roundfeet.

Connector means 22 a, 22 b are magnetic discs (i.e., round magnets)housed inside the rims 28 a, 28 b. The discs are attached inside therims by magnetic force, currently aided by adhesive (though adhesive maybe unnecessary). The magnets 22 a, 22 b are level with the bottoms ofthe rims 28 a, 28 b.

The preferred magnets 22 a, 22 b have central holes (e.g., 30 a). Asbest shown in FIG. 4, pan head screws 32 a, 32 b pass through centralholes (see FIG. 4) in stanchions 26 a, 26 b, through central holes inthe rims 28 a, 28 b, and into the magnet holes (e.g., 30 a). The screwsare then tightened down by locknuts 34 a, 34 b inside the larger holesof the magnets. This tightens the rims 28 a, 28 b against the stanchions26 a, 26 b. Screw 32 a can be reached through an access hole 35 in body12, while screw 28 b is accessible through the gullet 20.

Alternatively, connector means 22 a, 22 b could be attached tostanchions 26 a, 26 b by other standard fasteners (e.g., adhesive orrivets). Similar connector means could instead be attached directly tothe body, without any stanchions in-between.

In euphemistic terms, the body 12 and stanchions 26 a, 26 b resemble afishing rod holder, while the connector means 22 a, 22 b can be thoughtof as magnetic feet.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the body 12 may be provided in differentdimensions, but will typically be about 1-4″ in diameter and about6″-24″ in length. Also, the gullet 20 can be of any size as desired, butwill typically be at least ½″ wide for accommodating air hoses,triggers, or the like. The body 12 is preferably made of stainlesssteel. However, it could be made from any number of other materials,including plastic and wood.

Currently, the holder body 12 and stanchions 26 a, 26 b are integrallyformed, with the rims 28 a, 28 b being separate. They could, of course,be molded or cast together, with the magnets being added later.

In use, as shown in FIG. 3, the portable holder 10 is simply, easily,and quickly attached to the side of any ferrous flat surface, such asillustrated workstation 24, by way of the connector means 22 a, 22 b.Where magnetic discs are used, the body 12 is positioned against theworkstation 24 with the discs 22 a, 22 b contacting the workstation'smetal side and holding the body in place. For storage, a tool 36 (here,a pneumatic impact wrench) is simply slipped into the flared end 14 ofthe holder 10. The gullet 20 provides a side clearance space or openingthrough which certain portions of the tool, or other attachments, e.g.,an air hose 38, may be positioned, if needed or desired. As should beappreciated, the preferred holder 10 may be oriented in any mannerdepending on the needs of the user, and may be repositioned orreattached to other ferrous objects.

Instead of the second open end 16, the body 12 may have a closed end;however, having two open ends allows particularly long tools to bestored in the holder 10.

In another preferred embodiment, not shown, a second gullet is added tothe opposite “side” of flared end 14. Both gullets are aligned tofacilitate gripping and removal of the tool by a user. In addition, thecurrently non-flared end 16 would also be flared.

The invention can also be though of as a process for storing tools. Inthe preferred process, the steps comprise: orienting a generally tubularholder adjacent a workstation's metal side; removably affixing theholder to that metal surface by at least one magnet; slipping the toolinto a flared end of the holder; and guiding a handle or air hose of thetool into a gullet of the holder to rest the tool in a convenientorientation for easy retrieval of the tool from the holder.

Since certain changes may be made in the above-described holder (e.g.,different materials can be used), and related process, for storing airguns and other tools, without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention herein involved, it is intended that all of the subject matterof the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted merely as examples illustrating the inventive concept hereinand shall not be construed as limiting the invention.

1. A process of storing a pneumatic tool, comprising the steps of: a.orienting a generally tubular holder adjacent a workstation's metalside; b. removably affixing the holder to that metal surface by at leastone magnet; c. slipping the tool into a flared end of the holder; and d.guiding an air hose of the tool into a gullet of the holder to rest thehose and orient the tool for easy retrieval of the tool from the holder.2. A process of storing a safety air gun, comprising the sequentialsteps of: a. orienting a generally tubular holder adjacent a flatferrous surface; b. removably affixing the holder to that ferroussurface by at least one magnet; c. slipping a distal end of the air guninto a flared end of the holder; and d. guiding an air hose of the airgun into a gullet of the holder to rest the hose and orient the air gunfor easy retrieval of the air gun from the holder.
 3. The process ofclaim 2 wherein the ferrous surface is the metal side of a machine. 4.The process of claim 3 wherein the ferrous surface is the metal side ofa workstation.
 5. A process of storing a tool, comprising the sequentialsteps of: a. orienting a generally tubular holder adjacent a flatferrous surface; b. removably affixing the holder to that ferroussurface by at least one magnet; c. slipping the tool into a flared endof the holder; and d. guiding a portion of the tool into a gullet of theholder to rest the portion and orient the tool for easy retrieval of thetool from the holder.
 6. The process of claim 5 wherein the portion ofthe tool is a handle of the air gun.
 7. The process of claim 5 whereinthe ferrous surface is the metal side of a machine.
 8. The process ofclaim 5 wherein the ferrous surface is the metal side of a workstation.9. A portable holder for storing air guns, wherein the holder comprises:a. a generally tubular body having two open ends, wherein at least oneend is flared; b. a gullet on the body extending from the flared openend toward the other open end; and c. magnetic connector means forremovably attaching the holder to a ferrous surface, wherein theconnector means comprises at least one magnet attached to the body. 10.The holder of claim 9 wherein the connector means comprises a pluralityof magnetic discs attached to stanchions extending from the body.
 11. Aportable holder for storing a tool comprising: a. a generally tubularbody having a first, flared open end and a second, open end; b. a gulletin the body to assist a user in removing a tool from the holder, whereinthe gullet extends longitudinally from the flared end; and c. magneticconnector means for removably attaching the holder to a ferrous surfaceon a workstation, wherein the connector means comprise at least onemagnet attached to the body.